National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC)

The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) is mandated to communicate Science and Technology to masses, stimulate scientific and technological temper and coordinate and orchestrate such efforts throughout the country. The programmes of NCSTC aims at building capacity for informed decision making in the community and promote scientific thinking. It is devoted towards societal upliftment through the dissemination of scientific knowledge in an informed manner and builds programmes with the help of different media which percolate down to every nook and corner of the society.

Activities of NCSTC

The NCSTC focuses on outreach activities, training in Science and Technology communication, development, production & dissemination of S & T software, incentive programmes, and field based Sci-Com projects, research in S&T communication, international co-operation, motivating students and teachers, environment awareness and programmes with a special component exclusively for women.

Some of its important successful initiatives, over the years include the following campaigns: 

• Year of Scientific Awareness
• Year of Physics
• Year of Astronomy
• Year of Mathematics
• Observation of National Science Day
• Observation of National Mathematics Day
• National Children’s Science Congress
• National Teacher’s Science Congress
• Science Express etc.

A multi-pronged effort has been developed by the NCSTC including:

• Communicating science using folk media
• Use of mass and digital media for science communication and popularization
• Use of social media in science and technology popularization

Important Initiatives of NCSTC

• Mission Enlighten
• Mission eco NEXT - Initiatives 
• Science Express Climate Action Special 
• National Children’s Science Congress
• National Teacher’s Science Congress
• Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS)
• Health and Nutrition through Community Radio
• Academic/Training courses in S&T Communication
• Science and Technology Communication Programmes for Students
• Explaining Science behind Miracles

National Children's Science Congress

This is an opportunity for brilliant young scientists (10 -17 years of age group), started since 1993 to popularize the method of science with following steps:

• Work in teams under a guide on an identified theme
• Select a problem from the neighbourhood
• Develop a hypothesis and conduct field research
• See patterns in data and prepare a report
• Present findings before peer group in one's own language

Innovative projects are selected for district congress, state congress and national convention. Each state also sends two delegates to the annual session of the Indian Science Congress. The NCSC has been organized in almost all districts every year with more and more schools joining the activity. Developing an activity book, training workshops for guide teachers, evaluating the research projects and coordinating the district and state level conventions are enriching experiences for a number of organizations. More than 10 lakh children are participating actively throughout the country. The national events with the themes selected for the past years are shown below:

National Science Day

Every year, February 28, is celebrated as the National Science Day.  The programme was initiated by department to trigger science popularization activities throughout the country and to disseminate scientific education about the current issues of science and technology amongst the citizens of the country.  The programmes starts around the National Science Day and activities like lectures, quiz, radio, television shows, open houses and debate etc. are organized around a central theme. These programmes are organized nationwide through the state S&T Councils, Science and Technology Departments.

Mission eco NEXT - Initiatives 

Effective science communication can change ways of community learning, peoples’ access to knowledge & resources, and societal paradigms. The science behind management of ecological resources, habitat & ecosystems services is central to our wellbeing and ability to work. It thus addresses critical life cycle needs and complexities of social, economic and ecological nature. In today’s fast-paced world, role of media, both in printed and electronic forms, is critical in leveraging furthering these goals. The initiatives would support a direct and purposeful communicative paradigm, as Science Media & Eco Next Youth leadership and promoting informed choices and decision making. The Eco Media & Eco Next initiatives focus upon promoting real-time responsiveness and eco-media leverage for promoting integrated efforts for conservation of natural resources, specifically aimed at:

• Developing models in public guidance systems based on science communication, like location specific innovative initiatives for actionable learning and building field capacity for adopting scientific & best practices in knowledge critical domains
• Knowledge led motivation of youth for leadership and improvement of quality of life of specific target groups based on scientific approaches of ‘Being- on- their -Own’ and ‘Collective response’ to challenges and location specific problems
• Serving national priorities of Government of India like Swachh Bharat, Access to Safe Water, Ecological Health of Rivers, etc.

National Teachers’ Science Congress (NTSC)

Initiated by NCSTC, the NTSC provides a forum to teachers of the country to enhance their level of scientific awareness. The first national event was held in 2003. Presently it has become a biennial activity of NCSTC. Besides teachers educators of vocational/open schools/teachers educators/DIET faculty/B.Ed. and university researchers, scientists, technologists and activists are also eligible to submit their papers.

Explaining Science behind Miracles

There is exposure on the training module aiming at providing basic skills in performing & investigating such miracles and based on science behind it. Miracles are performed by so called Godmen who want to mislead the gullible, but fact is that all miracles are based on various principles of science. 

Motivational Programme

• Focus: The main objective is to kindle interest of the students in taking up pure sciences as academic and career option, students are sensitized about the science & technology related work going on with an exposure of various sophisticated instruments, facilities in S&T laboratories.
• Duration: Duration of the programme is one week; which can also include a one day open house for the parents and other target groups, the programme will be highly interactive and preferably residential.
• Target: Students of X & XI standard with science background (for one week program), teachers and parents (for a day long interaction only).

NCSTC Achievements

Many significant initiatives have given rich dividends to the nation. Some of these include:

Audio/Radio Programmes

Science based radio serials on various topics are produced and broadcasted by 119 stations of All India radio (AIR) and through community radio. Some of the popular serials are: “Jeevan Ek-Roop Anek”, Rahiye matwaley, “Ankon ke Khiladi”, Radio Mathematics (on community radio).

Video Programmes

Video programmes were made and telecast on DD. They are Challenge Chatani, “Utthan”, Ignited Minds I-II, Hum Honge Kamyab, Fossil Memoirs etc. Video CD’s on achievements of S&T in India were also developed and telecast.

Web based programmes

• Interactive Web Portals on Mathematics
• Web Portal on Planet Earth

Ganit Yatra in the state of Maharashtra

A state level campaign in the tribal districts of Maharashtra was undertaken as “Ganit Yatra” supported by NCSTC. Resource material in terms of dramas, CDs, ganit geet, booklets, calendar etc. were brought out.

Training Manuals and Kits Developed

Mathematics Kit, Weather Kit, Simple Tasks - Great Concepts, LASER Kit for Students, Parakhi, Module on Microorganisms, Vermi-Composting, Astronomy Kit, Biodiversity kit etc. are made and disseminated among the children.

Awards and Recognitions

National awards for science communications are presented every year to recognize outstanding achievements of individuals and institutions. Each award comprises an attractive cash prize, a memento and a scroll, presented every year at the national function on 28^th February, the National Science Day.

• Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication - (Rupees Two Lakhs)
• Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication through Books  & Magazines - (Rupees One Lakh)
• Outstanding Effort in S&T Popularization among Children - (Rupees One Lakh)
• Outstanding Effort in Translation of Popular S&T Literature - (Rupees One Lakh)
• Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication in the Print Medium - (Rupees One Lakh)
• Outstanding Effort in S&T Communication in Electronic Medium - (Rupees One Lakh)

UNESCO Kalinga Prize

The UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science is an award given by UNESCO for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people. It was created in 1951, following a donation from Hon’ble Shri Biju Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa and Founder President of the Kalinga Foundation Trust, Bhubaneswar. Candidates shall have made a significant contribution to the popularization of science. Till to date, sixty-five individuals, from twenty-four countries have received this award. Six of whom have also been Nobel-Prize winners.

Source: Department of Science & Technology (DST)